posterly

MCP connector

Instagram MCP server

Schedule Instagram feed posts, Reels, Stories, and carousels from Claude or ChatGPT.

This is the posterly MCP server, used for Instagram. The same connection works from Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and other MCP clients. It is not a separate Instagram-only download.

Get Starter + API · $10/moHow to connect the MCP server

What you can do on Instagram

Ask Claude or ChatGPT to schedule an Instagram post and it goes out through posterly on the account you choose. That covers feed photos, carousels of 2 to 10 slides, Reels, Stories, and multi-slide story series, with captions up to 2,200 characters. A first comment can carry your hashtags so the caption stays clean.

Instagram has the deepest set of native options of any network here. Your assistant can tag people directly on a photo, Reel, or Story, invite up to 3 collaborators on a feed post, Reel, or carousel, choose a Reel cover, and label a post as AI-generated. Captions can carry a poll or a comment prompt on feed posts, Reels, and carousels. Collaborators, polls, and comment prompts need the account connected through Meta (Facebook) rather than the direct Instagram login. Stories take one image or one video and no poll or comment prompt.

Once posts are live, the same connection reads your Instagram analytics. On the Pro plan or higher it also reads comments and DMs, so your assistant can summarize what people said and draft replies for you to approve.

  • Images
  • Video
  • Multi-image
  • Stories
  • Custom cover
  • Polls
  • Extra tagging tools
  • Collaborators
  • Analytics
  • Comments and DMs

Post types: image, carousel, reel, story, story series. Analytics can be read for this platform. On the Pro plan or higher, the inbox tools can read and reply to comments and DMs.

Tools

These are the tools your AI client uses for Instagram. Ask it to call list_platforms with view=schema and the account_id before it sets anything specific to Instagram.

Account and connection

  • whoamiWho am I

  • list_accountsConnected accounts

  • list_platformsPlatforms

  • create_connect_sessionStart a connect session

Posts

  • validate_postValidate a post

  • create_postCreate a post

    Show the caption, account, and time, then wait for confirmation before confirm=true.

  • create_posts_batchCreate posts in bulk

    1 to 25 posts in one confirmed request.

  • update_postEdit a post

    Show the caption, account, and time, then wait for confirmation before confirm=true.

  • list_postsPosts

  • get_postOne post

  • delete_postDelete posts

    Live removal needs an eligible connection and confirm_published. A refusal keeps the posterly record.

  • find_available_slotFind a free slot

  • generate_captionsGenerate captions

Media

  • upload_mediaUpload media

    Hosted requests are about 4MB, so this path is for small files. Large files use create_signed_upload or create_media_drop.

  • create_signed_uploadSigned upload link

  • create_media_dropMedia drop link

  • list_mediaMedia library

Analytics

  • list_analyticsAnalytics

    Includes: Account analytics, Post analytics, Post insights.

Inbox comments and DMs (Pro plan or higher)

  • list_commentsComments

    Includes: List comments, One comment with its replies.

  • manage_commentManage comments

    Includes: Reply to a comment, Hide or mark read, Delete a comment.

  • list_conversationsConversations

    Includes: List conversations, One conversation with its messages.

  • manage_conversationManage conversations

    Includes: Send a DM, Sync the inbox.

How to connect

  1. Add the hosted server in Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, or another MCP client. Server URL: https://www.poster.ly/api/mcp. Sign in with posterly OAuth and press Allow. Use the www host. In ChatGPT, write actions need a Business, Enterprise, or Edu plan.
  2. Or, in a client that can run a local process (Cursor, Claude Code, Windsurf, and similar), use npx -y posterly-mcp-server@latest with a POSTERLY_API_KEY placeholder in that client's MCP config.
  3. Call whoami and list_accounts so you know which workspace the client is using.
  4. Connect Instagram with the method below, then call list_platforms with view=schema and the account_id.

Instagram

Ask your AI client to start a connection, open the link it gives you, and approve access on the platform.

  • Use this for Instagram publishing, native media tags, caption mentions, inbox, comments, and analytics.
  • Collaborator invitations require an eligible Meta-linked Instagram connection.
Connect Instagram in the dashboard

Meta

Ask your AI client to start a connection, open the link it gives you, and approve access on the platform.

  • Connects Facebook Pages and linked professional Instagram accounts.
  • Instagram collaborator invitations require this Meta-linked connection and the corresponding publishing permission.
Connect Meta in the dashboard

Example prompts

  • Schedule this video as an Instagram Reel for Friday at 6pm, use the frame at 3 seconds as the cover, and put my hashtags in the first comment.
  • Turn these five photos into an Instagram carousel, write a caption for it, and check it with validate_post before you schedule anything.
  • Post this image as an Instagram Story tomorrow at 9am and tag @partnerbrand on it.

Instagram limits

Caption or text
2,200 characters.
Media count
1 to 10 media items.
Platform rule
A carousel needs 2 to 10 items. Stories cannot carry a poll or comment prompt.

Request rates depend on your plan. The posterly MCP page lists them.

Pricing

API and MCP access is an add-on to any posterly plan. Starter plus API is $10 a month, charged now with no free trial on this checkout.

Get Starter + API · $10/moSee every plan

FAQ

What is the Instagram MCP server?

It is the posterly MCP server, not a separate product. Connect it once and the same connection covers Instagram and 17 other platforms, from Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and other MCP clients.

How do I connect Instagram?

Add the hosted server at https://www.poster.ly/api/mcp and sign in with posterly, or run npx -y posterly-mcp-server@latest in a client that can start a local process. Instagram: Ask your AI client to start a connection, open the link it gives you, and approve access on the platform. Meta: Ask your AI client to start a connection, open the link it gives you, and approve access on the platform.

Can Claude post Instagram Stories through the MCP server?

Yes. Ask for a Story and attach one image or one video. A story series publishes several Stories in order. Stories cannot carry a poll or comment prompt, and collaborator invites do not apply to them, but you can still tag people on a Story.

Can I read and reply to Instagram comments and DMs from my AI client?

Yes, on the Pro plan or higher. list_comments and manage_comment cover comments, including private replies, and list_conversations and manage_conversation cover DMs. Every reply is previewed for you first, and DM replies follow Meta's 24-hour messaging window. The inbox works on the direct Instagram connection, so connect the account with the direct Instagram button if you want comments and DMs.

Keep reading

MCP

posterly MCP server

Hosted OAuth setup, the local npm package, and the full tool list.

Scheduler

Instagram scheduler

Schedule Instagram from the posterly calendar and composer.

Guide

Instagram guide

Read the long Instagram guide, then come back to connect it.

Pricing

posterly pricing

Compare plans, then add API and MCP at checkout.

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